Stark State College to build Akron campus at Perkins Street & Route 8

5/12/2016

Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com

Greater Akron—Stark State College will build its new Akron campus on 11 acres of vacant, city-owned property along Perkins Street near state Route 8 just northeast of downtown. The Jackson Township-based school — along with city, Summit County and business leaders — announced the location Thursday morning during a news conference at the John S. Knight Convention Center downtown. The campus will be called Stark State College Akron.

“We truly, at the end of the day, wanted to be in the city because the city is a great partner for us,” Stark State President Para Jones said. The site perfectly fits with the school’s criteria: There’s plenty of room for free parking. It’s along a highway. And it’s accessible by public transportation. The college plans to sign a 20-year lease-purchase agreement with the city for $949,380. The school will make annual payments of $47,469. The deal is still subject to approval by Akron City Council, the college board of trustees and the state Controlling Board.